British variant of COVID-19 detected in Arizona

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Health Services officials say a variant of COVID-19 that was first discovered in the UK has now been detected in Arizona.

Officials say they have detected variant B.1.1.7 in three state test samples, according to a statement released on January 29.

“It is not known to what extent the variant has spread in Arizona,” read part of the statement released by AZDHS.

According to the CDC website, variant B.1.1.7, also known as 20I / 501Y.V1 and VOC 202012/01, has emerged with a large number of mutations, and this variant may spread faster. It was first reported in the United States in late December 2020.

AZDHS officials say it’s typical for viruses to change by mutation, and new variants of a virus should appear over time.

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Symptoms of covid19

Symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and the flu.

Expect a cold to start with a sore or itchy throat, cough, runny nose, and / or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually appear suddenly and can include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough, and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is of particular concern to the elderly and those with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart problems.

RELATED: Is It The Flu, A Cold, Or COVID-19? Different viruses have similar symptoms

COVID-19 Resources

CDC website for COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

https://espanol.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html (in Spanish / in Spanish)

AZDHS website for COVID-19

https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home

https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/es/covid-19/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home (In Spanish / In Spanish)